Oregon takes seller disclosure seriously — and Salem OR sellers who don't understand their legal obligations before listing can face consequences that range from a collapsed transaction to post-closing litigation. This isn't a topic to skim over. Here's what you need to know about Oregon's seller disclosure requirements in 2026, explained plainly and practically.
Oregon's Seller Property Disclosure Statement: What It Covers
Oregon law requires sellers to complete a Seller Property Disclosure Statement (SPDS) for virtually all residential real estate transactions. This is not optional. The form covers a wide range of property conditions and history, including: known structural defects, roof condition and age, water intrusion or drainage issues, HVAC system condition, electrical and plumbing history, presence of hazardous materials such as lead paint, asbestos, or underground oil storage tanks, any history of flooding or sewer backups, and whether the property has been the site of methamphetamine production or other environmental contamination.
Oregon sellers are required to disclose what they know — you are not expected to be a home inspector. But deliberate concealment or material omission is a serious legal exposure. A buyer who discovers an undisclosed defect after closing in Salem has legal recourse, and courts in Oregon take misrepresentation claims seriously. Sellers in Salem, Keizer, and throughout Marion County are all subject to the same Oregon state disclosure requirements.
The Oil Tank Question: A Salem-Specific Disclosure Issue
Salem has a large inventory of older homes — many built between the 1940s and 1970s — that were originally heated with oil stored in underground tanks. If your home has or ever had an underground storage tank (UST), that history must be disclosed. An active or abandoned leaking UST is an environmental liability, and buyers have the right to know. Ty Hildebrand, REALTOR® at Realty One Group Salem OR, routinely guides sellers through this disclosure and recommends a pre-listing tank scan when ownership history is unclear. Buyers can also reference the inspections blog for more on why buyers prioritize this issue.
Ty Hildebrand, with over 400 properties sold across Salem and Marion County and 21 Google five-star reviews, has guided sellers through disclosure situations ranging from straightforward to genuinely complex. "My job is to help sellers disclose correctly and completely — not to hide things, but to present them in proper context so they don't unnecessarily derail a transaction," says Ty. "A disclosed issue is a manageable issue. A hidden one is a liability."
Review the seller resources page for more on the Oregon selling process, and connect with Ty Hildebrand at Realty One Group before you list. He will walk you through your disclosure obligations specifically, so you go to market with confidence and full legal protection. Sellers in Sublimity, Aumsville, and Mount Angel have access to the same guidance through Realty One Group's Salem OR team.
Contact Ty Hildebrand at Realty One Group | (971) 600-3663 | ty@rogwv.com for a FREE 2026 Market Strategy Session